Top Chef’s Naomi Pomeroy Remembered by Family at Memorial After Fatal Inner Tube Accident: ‘She Was Our Protector’

Mar. 15, 2025

Friends and family gathered to eulogize chefNaomi Pomeroyat a memorial service on Monday, Aug. 12, one month aftershe died in an inner tube accident.

Naomi Pomeroy’s loved ones gather to memorialize her one month after her death.Frederick M. Brown/Getty, KOIN 6/YouTube

Frederick M. Brown/Getty, KOIN 6/YouTube

Guests were well-fed at the ceremony. Pastries topped with berries and edible flowers, deviled eggs and baskets of assorted breads were just a few items available during the service.

“All of these greens and vegetables are straight from Naomi’s garden,” a note read on the large spread of food.

Culinary peers, mentors and mentees attended the memorial. Madeline Cook, who worked with Naomi atRipe Cooperative, toldKOIN 6of Naomi’s “spirit.”

“I learned how to be fiercely independent and honest, not just in food techniques, but in my personal life,” said Cook.

Naomi Pomeroy competed on ‘Top Chef Masters’ in 2011.Nicole Wilder/getty

Nicole Wilder/getty

Naomi drowned while tubing with her husband and one other individual on July 13. Her husband and friend survived. They were not wearing a life jackets at the time.

Naomi was presumed dead after search and rescue teams found her body, but could not recover her.Her body was foundon Wednesday, July 17.

On Tuesday, July 16,Webster spokewith theNew York Times, saying a branch in the water led to the deadly incident. While their two tubes and a paddle board were tied up, the branch knocked them into the water with a strong current.

Naomi made her mark on the Portland food scene over the last 25 years. She opened Ripe Catering in 1999 at age 24. Shortly afterward, she launched an underground supper club called Family Supper before “going legit” and opening Gotham Coffee Shop in 2002, Clarklewis in 2004 and Gotham Tavern in 2005,according to her cookbook author bio.

Naomi Pomeroy appeared as a judge on cooking shows.David Moir/getty

David Moir/getty

After those ventures closed or were sold, she opened up her buzzy and intimate restaurant Beast in 2007. In 2013, she and Webster opened upExpatriate, a cocktail bar. In 2020, Beast transformed intoRipe Cooperative, a marketplace and restaurant selling meal boxes.

Just this June, Naomi openedCornet Custard, which started as a frozen custard pop-up in her flower shopColibri. She also announced her fourth year ofGarden Party, a seasonal restaurant only open in the summer.

Naomi was also a cookbook author and publishedTaste & Techniquein 2016. She appeared on cooking competition shows likeTop Chef Mastersin 2011 as a contestant and later as a judge.

FormerTop Chefhost and judgePadma Lakshmigave a tribute to Naomi on social media after her death.

“I was blessed to get to know this inspiring woman over the years. My condolences to her loved ones; what an incredible loss to our community,” Lakshmi wrote in anInstagram post.

Top ChefjudgeGail Simmonsalso paid her respects to her onInstagram.

“Heartbroken doesn’t cut it,” Simmons wrote. “I first met Naomi Pomeroy the night she won her@foodandwineBest New Chef award in 2009. In fact, the internet reminded me today that I was the one who handed it to her. Fifteen years and countless laughs, texts and meals later I’m just as in awe of her cooking talent, generosity, sharp wit and general brilliance as I was back then.”

source: people.com